Musical instrument that’s controlled by brainwaves

Jul 14, 2017, 8:25 AM EDT

(Source: Robert Zverina/flickr)

A team of neuroscientists from the University of Washington has developed a hands-free, mind-controlled musical instrument, called the Encephalophone, which is the first device that lets a person control sounds with just the power of brainwaves.

In the system, a person can simply think of moving his arms up or down, which would trigger a note along an eight-tone scale, writes New Atlas. The idea could be very effective in the rehabilitation of stroke patients, who could play music without moving a muscle.

The scientists are working on the device to make it controllable via eye movements, which would open its use for many disabled patients, notes R&D.